Method for optimising the life cycle of measurement data based on the retroaction during assembling processes whilst being produced

Abstract

A method for feedback-based optimization of a measurement data life cycle in joining processes during production, comprising the following steps:1) analysing and simulating production on the basis of assumptions, in particular on the basis of production data, in order to prepare an initial production strategy and / or inspection strategy,2) preparing and / or adapting a production and / or inspection order,3) checking the production and / or inspection order for consistency,4) exporting and storing the production and / or inspection order,5) aligning and / or joining a component made of at least two sub-assemblies in an assembly zone,6) analysing and simulating production on the basis of actual measurement results and feedback of an optimized production and / or inspection order into method step 2), and7) at least one repetition of method steps 2) to 6).The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of PCT / EP2010 / 054800 filed Apr. 13, 2010 and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 169,891, filed Apr. 16, 2009 and German Patent Application No. 10 2009 002 432.8, filed Apr. 16, 2009, the entire disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to a method for feedback-based optimisation of a measurement data life cycle in joining processes during production, in particular in the manufacture of aircraft and in general mechanical engineering.[0003]In addition, the invention relates to a device for carrying out the method according to the invention.[0004]A new assembly strategy was introduced when production of the A380 jumbo jet began. Previously, rigid construction devices were used which ensured a high level of accuracy and reproducibility of the components. However, these devices are very cost-intensive and require a lot of...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]An object of the invention is to avoid the above-described drawbacks of known production processes and to optimise the joining process during production prior to beginning the production of components by statistically supported analysis and simulation, consistency checks, measurement and alignment of components in line with that aim with subsequent variance comparison, evaluation and feedback of results into the subsequent process cycle. In addition, the feedback mechanism makes it possible gradually to improve the joining process during production, shorten production times and reduce production costs as a result.

[0019]As a result of the feedback provided in method step 6), the method consequently makes it possible gradually to minimise in particular tolerance deviations during joining processes over the entire life cycle of the measured values. As a result of the method according to the invention, the transparency of complex production processes, optionally distributed worldwide, during the manufacture of components is improved and at the same time global checking of the respective production status at any time is made possible. In this way, in addition to an improvement in the quality of the produced products, production costs are minimised at the same time.

[0034]As a result of the application of the method according to the invention, large-scale sub-assemblies can be integrated in the assembly zone to form finished components with the highest quality standards. Any inaccuracies in the alignment and joining process, which may for example arise as a result of the mass-induced deformation of the positioning devices and / or the sub-assemblies themselves, can be identified by the method and compensated with a lasting effect for later generations of components. In addition, these inaccuracies, which emerge during production and are compensated according to the method, may be taken into account a priori during the design process of future generations of sub-assemblies to be prefabricated. As a result of production according to the method, positioning devices configured to be inter alia less massive, i.e. statically lighter, may be used for the production process, whereby a significant increase in the production quality can be achieved and considerable potential for reducing costs also arises at the same time.

Problems solved by technology

However, these devices are very cost-intensive and require a lot of space, since a separate device must be provided for each component.

However, this procedure has the drawback that results, for example from the measurement of components, cannot be integrated efficiently into the upstream or downstream production processes.

As a result, error-prone manual and / or redundant interventions into the production steps being carried out in the assembly zones become necessary, thereby significantly increasing the cost of assembly and impairing productivity and quality.

In addition, interface problems between the individual assembly zones lead to losses of information, which often mean that previously accrued data must be input anew in a time-consuming manner in an assembly zone located upstream or downstream.

The lack of a globally networked data management system without media discontinuity in the prior art has the result that no up-to-date information about the respective production status can be retrieved locally and cases where, for example, the tolerance is exceeded during production cannot be detected and rectified.

Furthermore, in existing assembly zones there is no automated transmission and further processing of measurement data taking into consideration detected measurement data from previous measurement cycles, which makes stepwise improvement of the production quality between the components to be joined together within the context of sectional construction more difficult.

Owing to the above-mentioned drawbacks, existing production processes for the manufacture of aircraft by sectional construction can only meet future requirements with globally networked production plants to a limited extent.

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